(Vietnam Insider) – U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire, potentially bringing an end to a 12-day conflict that displaced millions in Tehran and raised fears of a broader regional escalation.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised both nations for what he called “the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence” to end what he termed “The 12-Day War.”
“Assuming everything works as it should – and it will – I would like to congratulate both countries,” Trump wrote.
The ceasefire follows a weekend of joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, which Washington accused Tehran of preparing for nuclear weapon development. Iran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear arms.
Ceasefire Terms and Uncertainty
While an Iranian official confirmed Tehran’s tentative agreement to a ceasefire, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi emphasized that Iran would only halt military operations if Israel ceased its attacks by 4:00 a.m. Tehran time on Tuesday (0030 GMT). No new Israeli strikes have been reported since that deadline.
“The final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later,” Araqchi stated on X (formerly Twitter).
A senior White House official said the ceasefire was brokered through direct discussions between Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and other regional mediators. Israel reportedly agreed to pause hostilities as long as Iran refrained from further attacks.
Diplomatic Efforts Behind the Scenes
The breakthrough reportedly came after intense backchannel diplomacy. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani played a key role in securing Iran’s initial agreement, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
Key U.S. figures involved in the effort included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff, who maintained communication channels with both parties.
Neither Iran’s UN mission nor the Israeli Embassy in Washington responded to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Aftershocks and Market Reaction
Despite the ceasefire announcement, tension remains high on the ground. The Israeli military issued two evacuation warnings for residents in parts of Tehran and reported alarm activations in the Golan Heights amid concerns of aerial threats.
Nonetheless, financial markets responded positively. S&P 500 futures rose 0.4% in late U.S. trading on Monday, and U.S. crude oil prices dropped to a one-week low in early Asian trading on Tuesday, reflecting reduced fears of a wider regional oil supply disruption.
A Calculated Response from Tehran
President Trump acknowledged Iran’s restrained response to an earlier attack on a U.S. airbase – which caused no injuries – and thanked Tehran for providing advance notice. Analysts say the move allowed Iran to project strength domestically without triggering a larger military escalation.
The conflict escalated after U.S. B-2 bombers dropped 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure over the weekend, intensifying Israel’s air campaign. The strikes prompted mass evacuations in Tehran, a city of over 10 million residents.
Vice President JD Vance claimed the mission succeeded in disabling Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
“Now Iran is incapable of building a nuclear weapon with the equipment they had, because we destroyed it,” Vance said on Fox News.
However, in a separate social media post, Trump hinted at broader objectives, suggesting that Iran’s clerical leadership – in power since the 1979 Islamic Revolution – might be at risk.
Israel’s military also targeted key institutions in Tehran, including the infamous Evin Prison, signaling its intent to disrupt the foundations of the Iranian regime.
Looking Ahead
While the announcement signals hope for de-escalation, implementation of the ceasefire remains fragile. Analysts caution that both sides may use the coming hours to complete ongoing operations before fully committing to peace.
Vietnam Insider will continue monitoring developments.
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